The Maldives has formally amended its immigration laws to ban Israeli passport holders from entering the country, escalating its protest against Israel’s military operations in Gaza. The move, announced by President Mohamed Muizzu’s administration this week, is part of a broader campaign signalling the island nation's staunch support for the Palestinian cause.
The new regulation, which took effect immediately, prohibits the entry of all travellers holding Israeli passports. However, it stops short of banning Israeli citizens with dual nationality, provided they enter using a passport from a different country. The law, originally proposed nearly a year ago, gained momentum following intensified Israeli military activity in Gaza and growing international criticism of civilian casualties.
According to a statement from the President's Office, the decision was made in direct response to “the ongoing atrocities and acts of genocide committed by Israel against the Palestinian people.” The Maldivian government characterised the ban as a symbolic act of solidarity with Palestinians and an expression of the country's long-standing pro-Palestinian stance.
In a show of further support, the Maldives has launched a national fundraising campaign for Palestinian civilians, coordinated with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA). President Muizzu has also appointed a special envoy to assess the needs of Palestinians on the ground and announced plans for a nationwide rally under the slogan “Maldivians in Solidarity with Palestine.”
The policy shift has prompted a swift response from Israel’s Foreign Ministry, which issued a travel advisory urging Israeli citizens, including those with dual citizenship, to avoid travelling to the Maldives. It also advised Israelis currently in the country to consider departing, citing the potential difficulty of receiving consular assistance due to the ban.
International reactions have been mixed. Several Muslim-majority nations have praised the Maldives' stance, while critics, particularly in the United States, have labelled the ban discriminatory. U.S. Representative Josh Gottheimer has introduced a bill proposing that future American aid to the Maldives be conditioned on the nation lifting its ban on Israeli travellers. “U.S. taxpayer dollars should not go to countries that enforce such discriminatory travel restrictions,” he said in a statement.
Tourism is the backbone of the Maldivian economy, and Israeli tourists, while a small percentage of overall arrivals, have traditionally contributed to the country's high-end tourism sector. Industry experts have expressed concern that the decision may set a precedent and affect the Maldives’ global image as an inclusive travel destination.
Despite the backlash, the Muizzu administration appears resolute in its position, reiterating its commitment to supporting the Palestinian people and advocating for what it describes as justice in the face of oppression.